Foreign Fedex Pilot Arrested by Chinese Authorities

Source: CNN

A FedEx pilot was recently detained by Chinese authorities in Guangzhou, a city in southern mainland China. It's the latest in an escalating conflict between the shipping company and the Chinese government.


The pilot, Todd Hohn, was trying to board a commercial flight home after making a delivery to mainland China, when he was arrested after a luggage search, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing a family lawyer for Hohn. FedEx (FDX) spokesperson Davina Cole on Thursday confirmed to CNN Business that a pilot was arrested.


Hohn was carrying "nonmetallic pellets used in low-power replica air guns," leading Chinese authorities to allege he was illegally carrying ammunition, the Journal said.


FedEx said the pilot has been released on bail, though the Journal report states he must remain in mainland China until Chinese authorities have completed their investigation. Hohn is a former US Air Force pilot.



"We are working with the appropriate authorities to gain a better understanding of the facts," FedEx said in a statement.


Tensions between FedEx and Chinese authorities have escalated as the larger US-China trade war drags on.


The Chinese government began investigating FedEx in June when Chinese tech company Huawei said FedEx diverted two packages to the United States that were meant for Huawei's headquarters in China. The following month, Chinese authorities claimed FedEx was holding back more than 100 packages meant for Huawei. FedEx later sued the US government over export restrictions on Huawei, saying they put FedEx in a vulnerable position.


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